Organic Farming- Sikkim Case Study-GS-3

Organic Farming- Sikkim Case Study-Gs-3

In 2003, Sikkim officially adopted a resolution to switch to organic farming. The state decided to go organic, to ensure long-term sustenance of soil fertility, protection of environment and ecology. The objective was also to promote healthy living and decreasing the risk of disease.

India’s first organic state Sikkim has won the ‘Oscar for best policies’ conferred by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the world’s best policies promoting agro-ecological and sustainable food systems. 

The ‘Future Policy Award’ received by the Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Kumar Chamling in Rome on 15 Oct 2018 recognised the state’s leadership and political will to lead by example. The award was co-organized by FAO, World Future Council and IFOAM- Organics International.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION (FAO)

• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations, serving both developed and developing countries that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
• It was formed on 16 October 1945 in Quebec, Canada and has its headquarters in Rome, Italy.
• It helps developing countries to modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security.

ORGAINC FARMING

• Organic farming uses techniques to achieve good crop yields without harming the natural environment or the people who live and work in it.
• It relies on organic or natural fertilizers like:

1.     Compost Manure

2.     Green Manure

3.     Bone Meal

And it places emphasis on techniques like:

1.     Crop Rotation

2.     Companion Planting

·        Further, Biological Pest Control, Mixed Cropping. And Nurturing Insect Predators are encouraged in organic farming.

• Organic farming uses naturally occurring substances for farming while prohibiting the use of synthetic substances which enhances agro-ecosystem health (biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity.
• Organic farming movement was started in 1940s as a reaction to use of synthetic substances in agriculture. The term ‘organic farming’ was coined by Lord Northbourne in his book ‘Look to the Land’.
• Organic produce contain less or no chemicals and are safest to consume.
• It relies on organic or natural fertilisers. Examples – Compost manure, Green manure, Bone meal.

Benefits

·        Increases soil fertility, high value crops leading to sustainable development.

·        Preserves indigenous species.

·        Reduces subsidy burden on Governments and inherent corruption involved in it.

·        Thwarts the desertification of arable land.

·        Revitalizes ground water level.

·        Reduces risk to the food chain.

·        Stops the serious health hazards caused due to chemical fertilizers & pesticides.

·        It also promotes tourism as it has already been started in north-east where resorts are marketing themselves as completely organic where tourists can pluck, cook and relish fresh organic food from their kitchen gardens.

·        Farmers can reap huge income as there is demand for organic food.

·        It protects long term fertility of soil, provides crop nutrients by soil micro-organisms, Nitrogen self-sufficiency through the use of legumes and biological Nitrogen fixation, disease and pest control, livestock management and protects overall environment.

·        It prevents the use of modern agricultural methods that are harmful for human health.

JOURNEY OF SIKKIM TOWARDS A 100% ORGANIC STATE

• 2003: Sikkim adopted a resolution to switch to organic farming.
• Organic farming to ensure soil fertility, protection of environment and ecology.
• Healthy living, decreasing the risk of health ailments.
• Policy phased out chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
• Achieved a total ban on sale and use of chemicals and pesticides in the state.
• Sikkim stopped imports of chemical fertilisers.
• Farmers using organic manure.
• 2010: Sikkim Organic Mission launched that provided seeds and manure and trained farmers in organic farming practices.
• Organic farming is also attracting large number of tourists to the state.

 Case Study:

·         Sikkim is first organic state in the world and all farmlands in the state are certified organic.

·         State’s policy approach reaches beyond organic production and has proven transformational for its citizens.

·         It primarily focuses socioeconomic aspects such as consumption and market expansion, cultural aspects as well as health, education, rural development and sustainable tourism.

·         The organic farming policy implemented by state has phased out chemical fertilisers and pesticides, and achieved total ban on sale and use of chemical pesticides in the state.

·         The transition has benefitted more than 66000 farming families in state.

·         Transition to 100% organic state also has greatly benefited its tourism sector and numbers of tourists have increased by over 50% between 2014 and 2017. 

·         With this Sikkim has set excellent example for other Indian states and countries worldwide for successfully upscale agroecology.

·         Sikkim was awarded UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Future Policy Gold Award (Gold Prize) for its achievement in becoming the world’s first totally organic agriculture state.

CONCLUSION:

Despite the efforts done by some of the policies by the Government, organic farming has not been able to enter the agriculture mainstream in India. Government along with private players needs to make structural changes in prevailing agricultural practices and overcome infrastructural and technological challenges in developing organic farming to a greater level. More awareness should be creating among the farming community about  the benefits of organic farming. Sikkim has set an example in this field which other states may follow.